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Former England captain and Sky Sports commentator Mike Atherton believes the allegations made against James Anderson will add spice to Thursday's test matc

Former England captain and Sky Sports commentator Mike Atherton believes the allegations made against James Anderson will add spice to Thursday's test matc

England bowler James Anderson has been charged under Level 3 of the ICC Code of Conduct following a complaint of misconduct made by the Indian cricket team.

England however intend to make a counter-claim against Ravindra Jadeja.

Anderson has been charged for allegedly abusing and pushing Jadeja immediately after they left the field for lunch on the second day of the first Test between England and India at Trent Bridge.

It is alleged that this was a continuation of a verbal altercation between Anderson and Jadeja as they were walking from the field.

The complaint was made by India team manager Sunil Dev after he confirmed the incident with other players, coach Duncan Fletcher and captain MS Dhoni.

Dev told ESPNcricinfo: "Mahi (Dhoni) and everyone complained that he (Anderson) physically touched him (Jadeja) and pushed him. It was all over the dressing room.

"It is serious matter only because you can't push anybody. So I put in a complaint with the match referee."

If found guilty, Anderson faces a penalty of between four and eight suspension points which would see the fast bowler miss between two and four Test matches.

However, it is understood that Anderson is in little danger of being ruled out of the second Test at Lord's this week - or probably the third in Southampton - because any hearing is unlikely to take place in that timescale.

The England and Wales Cricket Board had previously stated its intention to contest the misconduct allegations against Anderson and seek sanction against Jadeja.

A statement from the ECB read: “The England and Wales Cricket Board has today reacted with surprise that the India team has made allegations against James Anderson under Level 3 of the ICC Code of Conduct for a minor incident involving Ravindra Jadeja during the first Investec Test match at Trent Bridge.

“In the light of this the ECB has notified the ICC of its intention to lodge code of conduct breaches against Jadeja.

“James Anderson categorically denies the accusations made against him and the ECB have pledged their total support for the player should he be charged by ICC.”

Spice

Former England captain and Sky Sports commentator Mike Atherton was surprised to hear about Anderson's charge.

Tim Abraham reports from Lord's as the ECB prepare to contest misconduct allegations against James Anderson made by India.

Tim Abraham reports from Lord's as the ECB prepare to contest misconduct allegations against James Anderson made by India.

He told Sky Sports News: “I guess everybody is surprised just because this seemed to have happened very early on in the Test match and nothing was said , nothing happened, until a day or two afterwards. So there has been a long time-lag and it seemed to be a match played in reasonable spirits.

“Obviously we don’t see and hear everything – and clearly a level 3 offence which has been alleged is a serious offence - so we will wait and see. They (India) must feel wrong otherwise they wouldn’t do it.

“Of course Anderson could get a ban which could play in their favour over a long Test series, but equally it could play to England’s favour as well if Anderson doesn’t get a ban.

“In any case he is going to play at Lord’s. It is one easy way of winding Anderson up and the rest of the team after a heavy Test match when they will be feeling tired and heavy-legged. They will be raring to go on Thursday.

“There is going to be a bit of spice around on Thursday I should think because of this. The prospect of a ban for a player is not a pretty one but England have countered – they have strongly denied the accusation - so there is a bit of high feeling on both sides.”

You can watch the second Test at Lord's live on Sky Sports 2 from 10am on Thursday.